> I just found out about this dish! It's usually sold as a side menu at Pho joints, but they only serve it around lunchtime. The sweet and tangy flavor is absolutely phenomenal. It's called "cơm rang dưa bò" (fried rice with beef and pickled mustard greens).
I'm hitting up a "Bia Hơi" (local draft beer) spot this afternoon, will definitely snap some pics for y'all! Cheers! 🍻
Holy crap, the street food scene here never ceases to amaze me. Stumbled into this tiny residential alley in Hanoi this morning and found it absolutely packed with locals eating Chicken Thigh Pho (Phở gà đùi). It’s the ultimate breakfast setup.
I still gotta ask for "no green onions" though. I know it's basically a crime here, but that raw, pungent bite just completely overpowers the broth for me (don't judge lol). Even without the greens, the flavor at this place is next level. It's crazy how a spot tucked away where tourists never go can be this insanely good.
(Day 5 of documenting the real Vietnam - The good, the bad, and the hole-in-the-wall spots).
Winding mountain roads on the way to the orchards in Yen Bai.
Inside the local plum orchard. The landscape is incredibly lush.
Freshly picked plums. All-you-can-eat straight from the branch.
During my recent trip to northern Vietnam, I spent some time exploring Yen Bai province. The landscape here is stunning, with winding roads, lush green mountains, and incredibly fresh air—a huge contrast to the busy cities.
The highlight of this leg of the trip was visiting a local plum orchard. The locals running the place were very warm and welcoming. The entrance fee was exactly 50,000 VND (which is roughly $2 USD). The rule was simple: all-you-can-eat straight from the tree. You can wander around the orchard, pick the fresh plums, and eat as much as you want while enjoying the mountain views. The $2 covers everything you eat on the spot, and you only pay extra if you want to bag some up to take back to your hotel.
It was a very simple but memorable experience interacting with the locals and trying the fresh agriculture of the region. Highly recommend taking a detour here if you are planning a route through the North of Vietnam.
Honestly, the contrast out here is jarring. I actually cover a lot more of this raw, unseen side of Vietnam on my channel, focusing on cultural nuances and survival ( Van Tran, Yen Bai )
1. The "Bia Hơi" Pavement Religion Forget craft beer. Bia Hơi is a lifestyle. It’s the cheapest fresh beer on the planet (under 50 cents a glass), brewed daily, and pumped straight from aluminum kegs. But it’s not about the beer; it’s about the vibe.
2. The Sweat & Slurp: Bún Chả in a Damp Alley Forget your Michelin-star dreams. The best Bún Chả in this city will never have air conditioning. It’s usually hidden deep in a damp, dark alleyway.
3. The Traffic Dance (Extreme Street Crossing) Crossing the street in Hanoi isn't a commute; it's an extreme sport.
4. The Scavenger Hunt for Egg Coffee A legit, premium coffee spot in Hanoi rarely has a shiny glass storefront on the main road.
Hanoi doesn't hold your hand. But if you play by its rules, it will reward you.
Who's currently in town and ready to get their hands dirty? Drop a comment if you need help finding these spots.
Spent the last 2 years helping tourists navigate HCMC. Here's what actually catches people off guard at the airport:
Ignore everyone approaching you outside baggage claim. Walk past them, turn left, use Grab.
Worst rates in the city. Take $50-100 max to get through the first hour, exchange properly in District 1 later.
They grab your bag, carry it 10 meters, demand $5. Hold your own luggage.
Slow, unreliable, and you need connectivity the moment you walk out — not inside the terminal.
Always Grab. Fixed price, no negotiation, driver rated.
I wrote a longer version of this with maps, screenshots and more traps on my site — link in comments if mods allow, otherwise DM me.